..Contract project delivery date remains 2022–Works & Housing minister –
Fashola
…We are happy with the good pace of the ongoing works and look forward to the
completion and commissioning in 2022 – Okowa, Obiano
President Muhammadu Buhari has endorsed the progress of work being progressively
achieved at the Second Niger Bridge saying that, “the project is on course irrespective of
initial teething problems that occasioned some loss of time.” The President communicated
his position just as Anambra state governor, Chief Willie Obiano and his Delta state
colleague, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa lauded the project amid expectations of speedy and timely delivery.
The Honourable Minister of works and housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, who represented
the President, spoke in Asaba Friday at the inspection/town hall meeting on the landmark
priority project.
Fashola said, “2022 remains the project delivery date. That is the Federal Government’s
commitment on the N414billion Bridge investment by the government. Of this amount,
Roads 2a and 2b alone is costing the government N208billion.” Fashola revealed that:
“the contractor needs about 4million cubic meters of sand, a lot of supplies of cement,
19million litres of diesel including local labour to deliver the project,” adding that all of that
are already spinning off multiplier economic and commercial activities within the host
communities and states. On compensation to the communities in the project area, Fashola
said state governments are in the best position to liaise with communities on behalf of the
Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.
For the Anambra state governor, the President, the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing,
and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc have remained clearly committed to the project. Chief Obiano
observed, for instance, that: “Covid-19 or no Covid-19, we can all see that the President, the
Honourable Minister and his team at the Federal Ministry of Works, and Housing as well
as the contractor, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, have remained committed to the work to
deliver the Second Niger Bridge.” Chief Obiano added, “Even while evidently proactively
observing all NCDC prescribed and necessary human protection and safety protocols, the
contractor has steadily continued to incrementally build the second Niger Bridge to the
admiration of all stakeholders”
While the governor urged Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to within its Corporate Social
Responsibility considerations, address any pending issues with the communities, he called on
all stakeholders to “support the Federal Government’s initiatives and restrain the restive
youths from actions that could hinder the progress being seriously recorded on the
project.” The progress of the ongoing works by the contractor, said Governor Obiano, can
only be sustained to full success where peace is purposely allowed to reign on site.
Delta state governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Chiedu Ebie, thanked President Buhari for “the massive project and the good progress achieved so
far on site as we look forward to the successful commissioning in 2022.”
